Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. To understand and acknowledge Dwight D. Eisenhower's significance as the 34th President of the United States and his contributions during his term from 1953 to 1961.
2. To explore Eisenhower's role as a military leader during World War II and how this influenced his presidency.
3. To investigate Eisenhower's domestic policies, with a particular focus on civil rights and the interstate highway system, and appreciate their relevance and impact in the U.S history.

Secondary Objectives:

1. Develop critical thinking skills by comparing and contrasting Eisenhower's military and presidential roles.
2. Enhance research skills by using a variety of sources to gather information about Eisenhower's presidency and his contributions to U.S history.
3. Foster teamwork and collaboration by engaging in group discussions and activities related to the lesson's topic.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

1. The teacher will begin by revisiting the previous lessons on American Presidents and World War II. This will create a foundation for the topic at hand and help refresh the students' memory.

2. The teacher will then present two hypothetical situations related to Eisenhower's presidency:

   • Scenario 1: Imagine being a military leader during World War II, and then transitioning into a peaceful presidency. How do you think your leadership and decision-making strategies would change?
   • Scenario 2: You have just been elected as the President, and your country is facing various domestic issues such as civil rights and infrastructural development. What would be your first steps?

3. The teacher will then contextualize the importance of the topic by highlighting how Eisenhower's presidency shaped the U.S in terms of civil rights and infrastructure, significantly impacting lives even today. They will explain how the interstate highway system influences our daily transportation and how Eisenhower's civil rights policies laid the groundwork for future reforms.

4. The teacher will then introduce the topic of Dwight D. Eisenhower by presenting two intriguing facts:

   • Fact 1: Before becoming the 34th President, Eisenhower was a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II - one of only nine people in U.S history to hold this rank.
   • Fact 2: Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, creating the Interstate Highway System, which profoundly changed the landscape of America and how we travel.

5. By introducing these facts, the teacher will pique the students' interest and prepare them to explore the topic more in-depth. They will end the introduction by outlining the main objectives of the lesson, ensuring the students understand what they are expected to learn.

Development (20 - 23 minutes)

1. Life before Presidency (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher should begin by briefly outlining Eisenhower's experience before his presidency. They should explain how Eisenhower was a five-star General during the World War II and discuss the significance of this role and his significant contributions.
   • The teacher should explain that this military experience played a vital role in shaping Eisenhower's later policies and decisions as President. It would be essential to emphasize how his military background influenced his approach to leadership.

2. Eisenhower's Domestic Policies (10 - 12 minutes)

   • This should be the central piece of the lesson where the teacher presents the primary source of influence and legacy of Eisenhower's presidency - his domestic policies.
   • The teacher should start with discussing Eisenhower's contributions to Civil Rights during his presidency. They can explain the key moments like - the signing of Civil Rights Act of 1957, sending federal troops to support school desegregation in Little Rock, Arkansas, etc.
   • Then, the teacher should transition into discussing the Federal Aid-Highway Act. They should explain Eisenhower's vision on this subject, how it resulted in the creation of 41,000 miles of expressways over a 20-year period, fundamentally changing transportation in the United States.
   • The teacher should highlight how these policies were bold and transformative, resulting in significant changes in American societal structure.

3. Post-presidency and Legacy (3 - 4 minutes)

• The teacher should wrap up the development part of the lesson by discussing about Eisenhower’s post-presidential life.
• They should cover his retirement years, his death, and how his contributions to the United States are remembered today.
• They could discuss naming of public properties in his honor, the commemoration of his birthplace, the creation of Eisenhower dollar coin, etc.
• The teacher should emphasize that a president's influence extends beyond their time in office, and Eisenhower’s legacy continues to impact American life today.

4. Assess and Review (3 - 4 minutes)
   • Once the teacher has finished presenting, they should briefly review the main points covered. They should ensure students grasp the key aspects of Eisenhower's term and the importance of his military and political influence.
   • The teacher should pose questions checking for understanding such as, "What were some of Eisenhower's significant contributions to civil rights?" or "How did the Federal-Aid Highway Act impact American society and infrastructure?". This active engagement will ensure that students are positively involved and understand the key aspects of the lesson.

Feedback (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Real World Connections (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher should facilitate a brief discussion where students are asked to make connections between the concepts learned and their real-world applications. For instance:
     • They could discuss how Eisenhower's experience as a military leader during World War II might have shaped his decisions as a president, and how leadership skills can be transferable across different roles in their own lives.
     • The teacher could prompt students to reflect on the importance of civil rights legislation in their own lives and community. They could ask, "How have the civil rights policies enacted during Eisenhower's presidency affected our society today?"
     • Students could also be asked to consider how Eisenhower's Interstate Highway System impacts their daily lives. For example, how it aids their commute to school, travel for vacations, or transportation of goods across the country.

2. Reflection on Learning (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher should encourage students to take a moment to reflect on what they have learned during the lesson. They can pose questions such as:
     • "What was the most important concept you learned today about Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency?"
     • "What impact did Eisenhower's military leadership have on his presidency?"
   • The teacher should give students a moment to think and then encourage them to share their reflections. This will give the teacher an insight into the students' understanding and retention of the lesson.

3. Unanswered Questions (1 minute)

   • Finally, the teacher should ask students if they have any remaining questions about Eisenhower's presidency, his role in World War II, or his impact on American society.
   • The teacher should validate all questions and provide answers if possible. If the question cannot be answered at the moment, the teacher should assure students that they will find out the information and provide it in the next class. This step will ensure students feel heard and engaged in the learning process.

4. Lesson Wrap-up (1 minute)

   • To conclude the lesson, the teacher should summarize the main points discussed during the class, reinforce the learning objectives, and briefly introduce the topic for the next lesson. This will give students a sense of closure and a preview of what to expect in the following class.

Conclusion (3 - 5 minutes)

1. Recap and Summary (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher should start by summarizing the main points of the lesson. They should reiterate the importance of Dwight D. Eisenhower as the 34th President of the United States and his contributions to the nation during his term from 1953 to 1961.
   • They should briefly touch upon Eisenhower's military background during World War II, and how this influenced his leadership and decision-making during his presidency.
   • The teacher should also remind the students about Eisenhower's domestic policies, emphasizing on his significant contributions to civil rights and the creation of the interstate highway system.

2. Connecting Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 minute)

   • The teacher should then explain how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications. They should discuss how Eisenhower's military theories and strategies were put into practice during World War II, and how these experiences shaped his presidency.
   • They should highlight how Eisenhower applied his military expertise to address domestic issues, leading to the civil rights movement and the interstate highway system. The teacher should emphasize how these policies have had a lasting impact on American society and infrastructure.

3. Suggested Additional Materials (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher should suggest additional materials that can help students deepen their understanding of the topic. They can recommend biographies or documentaries about Dwight D. Eisenhower's life and presidency, or historical articles detailing his contributions during World War II and his domestic policies.
   • The teacher could also suggest online resources or websites where students can explore more about the history of civil rights movement and the construction of the interstate highway system in the U.S.

4. Importance of the Topic for Everyday Life (1 minute)

   • Finally, the teacher should explain the importance of the topic for everyday life. They should discuss how Eisenhower's domestic policies continue to impact American society and infrastructure.
   • They should highlight how the civil rights movement has shaped the modern society's views on equality and justice, and how the interstate highway system has transformed transportation and commerce in the U.S.
   • The teacher should emphasize that understanding history is vital not just for its own sake, but also to appreciate how past events and decisions continue to shape our present and future.